what to look for in 100 series purchase.

[TXLX100]

Only AHC. Some will say it will last forever if properly maintained while others won't buy an LX because of the inevitable costly replacement or conversion to a standard suspension. Lots of threads on it if you do a search.

Other than that, I believe they are identical in performance. LX may require premium while LC runs fine on 87, but not 100% on that.

AHC accumulators will eventually wear out as well as the shocks/rams, and none of that is cheap at dealer or discounted prices. Changing to standard suspension can be relatively cheap if you can find used torsion bars. If it's working right, it's really nice feature.

LX's most defintely can run on 87 octane.

 

[birch hill]

Is there a price point that would get me into a bigger selection? I would like to stay under 100k miles with as new a model year as possible. If I saved for another year and bumped the looking price closer to 30k would that net me anything better or only just a model year or two newer? I think I would like to stay with coils, did all LX models come with AHC? Thanks again!

 

[hankinid]

Is there a price point that would get me into a bigger selection? I would like to stay under 100k miles with as new a model year as possible. If I saved for another year and bumped the looking price closer to 30k would that net me anything better or only just a model year or two newer? I think I would like to stay with coils, did all LX models come with AHC? Thanks again!

To my knowledge, AHC is standard in the LX and optional on later model LC's.

Separate subject, but still on-topic...

I just noted in the OP that you have 5 children. I'm not sure you can fit 7 people plus the paraphernalia needed for 2 adults and 5 kids in a Land Cruiser or Lexus LX. My LX is adequately comfortable on 100 mile drives with 5 adults in the front and middle seats...not sure I'd try a longer road trip. That's with the 2 very-back seats removed to allow room for the adult's stuff. She's perfectly comfortable with 4 adults and their baggage.

I know you're looking at cruisers, but with respect I'd suggest something like a Chevy or GMC Suburban...having had 3 company-provided 'burbs prior to my getting my LX. Your price range is definitely on target. Reliability, obviously, is not to the level of Toyota or Lexus, but known issues are preventable and they're not vehicles likely to fall apart.

I know that's anathema here, only my opinion.

Steve

 

[birch hill]

Thanks for your opinion, no doubt it will be cozy but, we have been driving a discovery for the last 4 years and its shorter and narrower then the LC. We will definitely need a roof rack, and some serious packing skills and most likely a trailer of some sort. Honestly we need a short bus for these kids to have enough room not to bicker.

 

[hankinid]

Thanks for your opinion, no doubt it will be cozy but, we have been driving a discovery for the last 4 years and its shorter and narrower then the LC. We will definitely need a roof rack, and some serious packing skills and most likely a trailer of some sort. Honestly we need a short bus for these kids to have enough room not to bicker.

I have been there and done that in my past...great thing about grandchildren is you can return them when done.

Though you are stuck for a week with a truckload of boy scouts to and from Philmont.

 

[OregonLC]

All this time I thought it was a seven seater. Time to make one more person miserable back there. At what size kid can you put back there with no car seat? My 5 year old rides back there sometimes, but it's a pain getting the kid seat in and out. I think it's almost time for a booster seat.

Realistically even at 7 pax you'd be need to buy a few rounds for them at the destination! A Suburban this ain't.

We've actually debated selling the LX and getting a GMT930 (Tahoe XL/Suburban) for off-trail family hauling. They have some very nice creature comforts. I especially like the captain's chairs in the middle row. There's about the same cargo space in the GMT930 with 3 rows as the 100 with 2 rows! Mrs. ORLC does like her LX though, so we'll keep that for a while longer. Currently running 3-across in the middle with dog and gear in the back. Will need to add a SpaceCase this year.

 

[hankinid]

Realistically even at 7 pax you'd be need to buy a few rounds for them at the destination! A Suburban this ain't.

We've actually debated selling the LX and getting a GMT930 (Tahoe XL/Suburban) for off-trail family hauling. They have some very nice creature comforts. I especially like the captain's chairs in the middle row. There's about the same cargo space in the GMT930 with 3 rows as the 100 with 2 rows! Mrs. ORLC does like her LX though, so we'll keep that for a while longer. Currently running 3-across in the middle with dog and gear in the back. Will need to add a SpaceCase this year.

The LX 4 years ago was simply a downsize for and I, not to mention you can do more than you thought an SUV could do on a twisty road, through ice and snow, and see overall generally better reliability. We can still fit a dog or 2 in the back and more than enough stuff in the very back if we go out to get some birds or a deer. likes the LX a bit more than the 'burb on long trips, I'm around 50/50 on interstate highways and definitely prefer the LX on 2-lane roads.

Steve

 

[RND1]

Is there a price point that would get me into a bigger selection? I would like to stay under 100k miles with as new a model year as possible. If I saved for another year and bumped the looking price closer to 30k would that net me anything better or only just a model year or two newer? I think I would like to stay with coils, did all LX models come with AHC? Thanks again!

The youngest 100 series are 8 years old now so finding them in your backyard with under 100K miles is getting more difficult. When I was searching, most of the '06 - '07 LC's had AHC, which I wasn't opposed to, but I preferred coils as you said. For your budget of $20K, you can get into a well kept '03 - '05 LC with no AHC concerns and mileage from 90K to 120K. If you bump your price to $30K, you can get into an '06 - '07 with possibly lower milage, but if it's an LC, it will likely have AHC. All Lexus have AHC.

If I was in the market, I would take a serious look at the '06 LX in the Mud classifieds. It's in MD - not sure if that's within a reasonable driving distance for you.

 

[NMrockeater]

RND1
My 1999 LC calls for premium gas? Or is that sticker on the gas door just BS?

 

[RND1]

RND1
My 1999 LC calls for premium gas? Or is that sticker on the gas door just BS?

This is from my '03 owner's manual:

 

[OregonLC]

Either works. 92 gives slightly better mpg at a higher price. At best it neutralizes the cost delta. Zero reports of knocking on 87. Pretty sure it will run fine on turbid moonshine. It's not exactly a high strung performance engine.

 

[Weeniewheeler]

The other difference between LC and LX is the adjustable steering column. If you have T-Rex length arms like me and don't enjoy driving like an Italian madman (arms straight out from the shoulder), you need a steering wheel than gets closer to you and the LC doesn't have that, at least in 2000 it didn't. I preferred the looks of the LC and was leery of AHC, but my 2000 has 172K and the AHC still works fine. YMMV.

 

[OregonLC]

In 2003 the LC got VGRS as well as telescopic steering.

 

[Number6]

As to premium vs. regular fuel: I had a '94 Z28 many moons ago and it's OM had the same verbage as above. The Z had 10:1 compression and a knock sensor (so the motor wouldn't destroy itself). I tested 87 vs 93 octane. The 87 was cheaper, but went through the motor faster with noticeably less zing on acceleration. I stuck with 93- it was cheaper to run the car that way and of course better performance. I'd do it again on anything with fuel "options" and high compression.

 

[Junglejack]

In addition to the aforementioned,
Another thing I always look at when looking at preowned vehicles is the type of tire the PO was using. Seeing the OEM is always a good sign as it can often denote dealer servicing.

Super low end tires is a bad sign of a "Jiffy Lube" service mentality. While these trucks can take an unfathomable amount of abuse, why tempt fate?